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Galilean spiral

The spiral is symmetric with respect to the polar axis (see Fig.) and has a double point at the pole with tangents forming angles equal to $\pm\sqrt{l/a}$ with the polar axis.

Figure: g043080a

The polar axis of a Galilean spiral contains infinitely many double points, for which $\rho=ak^2\pi^2-l$, where $k=1,2,\ldots$. The Galilean spiral is a so-called algebraic spiral (cf. Spirals). Named after G. Galilei (1683) in connection with his studies on the free fall of solids.

References

[1]

A.A. Savelov, "Planar curves" , Moscow (1960) (In Russian)

How to Cite This Entry: Galilean spiral. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://www.encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Galilean_spiral&oldid=32536

This article was adapted from an original article by D.D. Sokolov (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article